Cuba — Events
Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericano
December 1, 2011 - December 8, 2011
Commonly known as the Havana Film Festival, this nearly two week celebration of cinema drives stars, directors, and fans in droves to Cuba’s movie houses. To be in the center of the action, book a room at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba - the festival’s headquarters.
Trinidad Way of the Cross Procession
April 1, 2012 - April 30, 2012
Symbolising the different stages of Jesus Christ’s walk toward crucifixion, the Roman Catholic festival of the Trinidad Way of the Cross Procession takes place in the town of Trinidad on Cuba’s south coast. During this incredible procession, pilgrims follow a route through the streets of the colonial town that oozes character and charm from every street and building. All religious ceremonies had been barred by the Castro government since 1959, but they were reintroduced when John Paul II visited the country and met with Castro in 1998.
Baseball Championships
April 17, 2012 - May 13, 2012
Cubans are very serious about ‘pelota’ and taking in even a regular season game is a memorable travel experience, but things really heat up in the post-season. Usually, Havana’s top team, the Industriales, makes a showing and tickets are dirt cheap.
Romerías de Mayo
May 1, 2012 - May 6, 2012
This week-long cultural extravaganza brings Cuban artists from all genres - poetry, music, dance, painting and sculpture - to lovely Holguín, known as the City of Parks. Book accommodation and transport early with other culture vultures.
Fiesta del Fuego
July 25, 2012 - July 31, 2012
Head to Santiago de Cuba for what connoisseurs consider the Caribbean’s hottest cultural festival featuring music and dance performances and Afro-Cuban religious processions.
Havana Biennial
April 1, 2013 - May 31, 2013
Founded in 1984, the Havana Biennial is widely acknowledged as the most important meeting place for fine artists from non-western countries. For one month, the vibrant metropolis of Havana is transformed into a sprawling, city-wide exhibition, as both Cuban and international artists take over urban spaces, galleries and cultural institutions.
